totally agree. I think our window for a couple of years is closing and the time is now. The falcons know their time is now and they mortgaged an entire draft to pick up the piece they feel they need to win now.
The Bears need a guy that can compliment Cutler. Cutler deserves the chance to be great by having linemen that can block effectively. Rice is the exact type of receiver that Cutler would leave Kristin for. Holmes is the epitome of a wide out. No fear, catches everything.
I don't want to play it safe here. I want to use the momentum of last year and fill the holes to win now.
I truly feel Angelo and Ruskell know this. If they don't they are morons because everyone else knows it.

i agree. the time is now. this is not the time to play it safe. we have a sick team that needs just a few tweaks and additions. make the moves now.
The Falcons went all in and mortgaged an entire draft for one guy because they felt he was the last piece. We need to fill 2 or 3 positions and the ass kicking will begin.

What a lovely day... Turns out I'll be in Chicago for the GB game. Any idea when tickets go on sale (not that I'll actually be able to get them without the scalper mark-up)?

I got the butterflies. Can we get an hour countdown to signing a free agent?

Considering the front office's ass is on the line, I expect some sort of move... Considering that they got us Pep last year, I don't think it's going to be the big name we hope it's going to be. Gimme the OL help. More time = better our current WRs will look.

However, a Charger friend of mine told me VJack, Floyd AND Legedu are up for grabs... I'll take any of 'em.

Even if we can't land Vincent Jackson, Floyd or Legedu would be a great addition. All three have great jump ball abilities. My hope is for at least another teams "2nd string receiver" which translates to a Bears #1

An NFL.com puff piece has Cutler edging out Raperberger for the most hated player in the league.
It's nice to see that we can look past a mans faults like his propensity to rape multiple women, killing people while drunk in a car, killing someone while drunk with a knife, assaulting strippers, assaulting ex girlfriends, skipping out of on child support, having multiple kids with multiple women in multiple cities, etc, but the first time you don't take Rick Reilly's idiotic questions seriously or if you get hurt in an important game look out, you are a piece of shit, no matter how many times you get up from the fucking ground after your 7th round tackle from West Texas A&M Culinary Institute let's Johnny Jolly sit on your fucking face, no matter how many touchdowns you throw to 5'10 - 6'0 3rd tier receivers with some of the smallest passing windows out there, no matter how many millions you've raised for kids and how much of your own time and money you've given to help kids have a couple of fucking smiles.

While it's not quite our game, these guys do have nads, and this is just a cool play:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/This-isn-8217-t-legal-in-the-NFL-but-it-would-?urn=nfl-wp3844

I think they need to go after a big time receiver, but everything I'm reading says they won't. Given that I like James Jones of Green Bay as the cheaper option with a lot of upside. He has the go-up-and-get-it ability the Bears are desperately needing. He also has a lot of strength and is a great route runner by all accounts.

I'm not sure if London is still on...but even though it was an "away" game, which would prob be more like a home game as I imagine there is a much bigger Bears fanbase in London than Bucs, I know players don't like traveling that far. Lach was grumbling about it.

We should strap some of the hooligans with bears jerseys, give them about 12 kegs (or whatever massive measurement for beer they have over there), and let them chant their songs, only we'll sub their team for "bears".

on Brad being released. Wow. Not even allow him to compete, just straight let go. However, he was that bad last year, and one may even argue that we lost to the Pack due to punters...their punter doing an excellent job of pinning Hester, and our punter giving Rodgers about 20 yds and putting even more stress on our D.

On the Brad Smith issue. Wasnt he the guy in game 15 last season on 4 and 1 who dropped the punt fake pass from Sanchez? Just what we need, another receiver wh can't come up big when it counts. The only highlight worthy play from him last year was the kick return for td when he ran out of his shoe.

I will shit a brick if we waste our money in this fool instead of getting a quality receiver.

Thank you Brad Maynard for being such a great punter for the Bears for many years.
I agree with Jeff that we need to resign as many veteran players as possible. With a shortened training schedule, I don't see many rookies starting this year.
I read on the Trib site today that Forte wants a long-term deal. I think that needs to be a top priority. He deserves it. He's been the best value running back in the league the last 3 years, and he's a workhorse who doesn't complain. He played all of 2009 with an injury and never complained once. Last week I seen an "Insider" article that was comparing Adrian Peterson to Forte. I'm not an "insider", so I looked up some stats. We all know Peterson is a much better short yardage runner and much more powerful, but some of the stats are very close. I looked at both backs over the last three years. Here's some areas where Peterson is better: 41 TD's to 25, 262 First downs to 205, 5.04 yards per touch to 4.82. In Forte's favor, Peterson has had 14 fumbles lost to Forte's 6. In the last three years, Peterson has 5,343 yards from scrimmage to Forte's 4,731 on 78 less touches (excluding playoffs). That averages out to about 13 yards per game, and Forte played hurt for a season behind poor offensive lines. I think Forte has his most productive years ahead of him IF they use his skills to his advantage like a Roger Craig type back. The Bears realize this and will sign him to an amicable deal really fast. Jerry is good in these situations. Take care of your own.

Fucking Chicago Now. I've been wasting away on the last thread for hours, wondering where everybody was amidst all the excitement. Is there some way you campers know there is a new thread? Am I missing something? And fuck Chicago Now to dare suggest that I spelled amidst wrong. WHO'S THE DOCTOR, BITCH?! WHO'S THE DOCTOR?!

RT Yanda from Balt, or Clabo from Atl would be nice, but they're both RTs, which would mean Webb moves to LT, or do we convert a RT into a LT?
That would also make Carimi a gaurd, but he's started at LT for four years, and some say he's more suited for RT.

Getting a Guard like Robert Gallery (who also was a converted LT), or Blaylock or Dahl would be cheaper and seem to make more sense (esp since Kruetz needs a replacement), but then we're gonna trust Cutler's blind-side with a rookie or a second year 7th rounder?

I was listening to the Score tonight and the two guys kept talking about Brady, Manning, etc and how Cutler is not them. I get frustrated when people judge Cutler against 2 quarterbacks who have 2 of the most consistent offensive lines AND schemes ever in football.
There is no doubt that Brady and Manning are extremely talented but no one could know what would happen if you gave them Chicago's line and the inconsistency of scheme.
Offensive line is the number 1 priority. A stronger line results in a superbowl appearance last year even with no extra firepower at WR. Consistency in playcalling would result in a 13-3 record last year. If we don't address the issues the same result will happen which is disappointment at the inability to take that last step for no reason other than Angelo being a stubborn prick....or maybe just bad at his job.

Here's the thing with Manning, he's in the playoffs every single year, and when the big game comes around, he chokes. He's got one ring and he stank in that game and we did everything we could to throw the game away. He's in the same system for what ... 12 or 13 years ? And he's got one ring, barely. Those same guys on The Score would be roasting Cutler if he had the same lack of silverware with all the opportunities Peyton Manning has had over that time. Cutler has more balls than Manning hands down, he's got the Jimmy Mac streak in him - willing to run for the first down and get whacked. Brady? No questions about that guy.

I've only got three worries about Cutler in relation to the 'elite' Qb thing :

1) Accuracy on the long ball.

2) Decision making. If he throws it away 3 or 4 times a game he would be awesome.

3) Ability to read defenses. I'm not seeing the audibles. We keep hearing how smart he is, but we don't see the audibles. At the risk of sounding like Jimmy Mac's be-atch, Mac used to change the call *before* the DB came up to the LOS. Cutty doesn't seem to have those instincts.

Doesn't really matter anyhow. Put a line in front of him and add a big target and he's more than capable of winning a Lombardi. Probably.

yeah, no shit. Maybe we died, and in our version of heaven, the lock-out ended, and the rest of the blog is still on earth bitching about the greedy owners and players! (insert twilight zone theme song...)

All over that MB! Apparently we only have two LBs under contract, but the thought of the 18-tackle-terror being a Bear again has got me semi-hard. I haven't got a clue about other team's O-linemen to be honest, but hopefully Tice gets his say and is listened to. If Jerry fraks this up he needs the butt-bomb treatment from Man On Fire.

As long as we get Jamar back, and the words "Bears sign wide receiver..." and "6'5" are mentioned in the same paragraph on Friday, I'm stoked.

Same-sex marriage is now legal in NY? Eli Manning and Sanchize can legally cement their love for one another now. That's sweet.

Cutty m'boy, I want to see you out there nailin' some hood rats ... it's gonna be a long season.

Our LT situation is perhaps my biggest worry, and here are less convoluted scenarios that TIce and Co will have to figure out and which may determine if we go to the SB.

1) We overpay for a high priced quality tackle like Yanda, Clabo. However, both are natural RTs, and will have to be converted to LTs, which may diminish their effectiveness (As well as having to throw a treasure at them to pry them away from their teams, which means bye-bye Rice).

2) We get a "purer" albeit less talented or older LT like Bushrod or Light, respectively. BUT How much more of an upgrade is the former, and how desirable is the ladder (can anyone say Orlando Pace?)

3) We let Carimi, Webb, and WIlliams battle it out for LT...so a rook, 2nd year 7th rounder at new position, or a possible bust is protecting the Franchise...

Last night? I haven't had a bj in about two years. Last time I had sex I got twins. Sort the avatar out at Gravatar.com, R2, you have the avatar to end all avatars.

Angela won't overpay for the receiver so the highest he might go would probably be Malcom Floyd? That'd be sweet. But he'll probably screw the pooch and sign some ducheyne who's 5'10. What about Martz getting into bed with Roy Williams again?

Can they be for real about Babin? Another old rusher? If that goes down then Angela is selling out the team's future and he couldn't care less.

I was just laughing to myself about the Falcons. They mortgaged an entire draft to get Julio Jones for that last piece of the puzzle but what if they lose 3 of their linemen to free agency? Part of me thinks no one is going anywhere for the Falcons but I'd be welcome them to the Bears with open arms if they decided to come north and play in real weather.

Who was complaining about that guys terrible punting all last year? <~~~ This guy! Sorry but after his surgery Maynard just hasnt been the same. A little better field position each punt and it just adds to the snowball. The Bears are getting a little better everywhere (except maybe DB) and I think it'll add up to big things.

No way. the Vikings are going to clusterfuck themselves again this year.

And what's going to happen to the packers when that fag Rodgers has to retire with his 4th and 5th really bad concussion this year? Also all this talk (I'm lookin at you Irish) AGAIN about the lions finally roaring... maybe, but it's been said may times before and....? I think they must have done something worse than us in a former life. If we sold our future/soul to the devil for the '85 season, Detroit fucked Lucifer’s wife while he was out on a business trip. So you know, good luck with that detroit.

Guess we'll have to wait and see, but the NFCN’s up for the taking and all we need is:

1. Guard
2. Guard or tackle
3. M. Floyd

Under the radar/cheap pickups:
1. Get jamar back
2. Ray Edwards or chuck Johnson.

Man, there’s a shitload of fresh meat out there (nice link Erik).

Jerry, you can’t be that fucking dumb can you? How can you possibly fuck this up? How? Just go and get 3 OL and M Floyd TODAY! Do that and you’ve saved your fucking job (much to my immense chagrin)

Agree with you on Iwuh Waff! I want him to get another shot at LB this year. We know he’s an impact player on specials and has more raw athletic ability than any of the other back-ups. Fuck Rod Wilson; he’s a black Hunter Hillenmeyer without the MBA from Kellogg. Get me Matt Light as an insurance policy for Cut’s blind side (although, I expect Big Boi J’Marcus to become truly solid this year.) Yes, Light is 33, but he’s been kept Brady’s uni clean for almost a decade and played pretty solid last year. Lastly, a BIG BODY receiver. I’ll take a chance on B. Edwards if we can get him for the right price. I’d be happier taking a shot w/ burress. No more fuckin hybrid wr/qb, zebra, wildcat, fucking jake the snake bullshit Willow-type size munchkins. Yes, Babin is in his 30s, but he still plays like he’s in his mid-20s. He did have 12.5 sacks last year.

That's right. I'm replying to myself. Even Asian politicians are getting wild and crazy with their puppicks. I thought they were supposed to repress this shit with their small wangs and all:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-ap-us-wu-sex-scandal,0,5655741.story

Did you see that BP registered 5.3 bill in earnings today; one year after the gulf oil spill SC? Do you know how much they paid in taxes last year? 0$. They must have given Boehner's daughters' free gas cards for life.

No senor, he's 6'5' 220+... dude is a long/jump BALLER. Maybe you're thinking legadu nanee (or some shit). Floyd is a fucking man amoungst men and would be a bone-ified (that's for you) #1 on any other team... you know, that didn't have like 3 #1s AND fucking antonio gates.

He's legit, 2-legit-2-quit, and he's got zero character issues. Although, he did get an ankle injury (I believe) last year that hurt his perf and playing time a bit

No senor, he's 6'5' 220... dude is a BALLER. Maybe you're thinking legadu nane (or some shit). Floyd is a fucking man amoungst men and would be a bone-ified (that's for you) #1 on any other team... you know, that didn't have like 3 of them AND fucking antonio gates.

He's legit, 2-legit-2-quit, and he's got zero character issues. Although, he did get an ankle injury last year that hurt his perf and playing time a bit

However, I still have concerns about our secondary and Forte's backup.

Does Sharper have anything to give anymore? We were drooling over him last year, and now he's free and I haven't heard a peep. Then again, I didn't hear a peep about the guy all year last year, so I'm guessing he wasn't all that hot. Too old?

What about McGahee for a 3rd down back? Also, not sure what he's asking, but he can vulture all the TDs he wants as long as he can punch it from 2 yds out.... Something we have had some trouble with. Granted, maybe the Fridge couldn't even punch it in from 2 yds out with our OL...

I know our top priorities are OL, OL, OL, OL, and WR (I'll take some Floyd in a heartbeat), but are Sharper or Willis worth a check out?

Also, Jerry, please don't get some Canadian and some undrafted guy be our "solutions" to WR....

Also heard we may have picked up a undrafted guard from Nebraska. here in Omaha they rave of his ability to own folks, but also say he's quite the idiot. Still, the more OL the better.

Forte's backup - yeah, call me a be-atch but I was all over us drafting Leshoure at 53 or whatever instead of Paea. We could have arguably had the best back in the draft - and a banger at that - who dropped way too far versus the 6th or 7th DT. Time will tell.

Man, as much as I was philosophically against it, I sure would've loved disgruntled players Vjack and Mankins on the class action suit to be exempted from the franchise tags. We sign those guys and import another disgruntled player in Osi and I would have died a happy man. Oh well...

Thanks for the "Howdy" - Doc ---
Contemplated my mortality during late winter and spring came to the conclusion that Bears should draft Adam Dunn and just stick him out there to receive forearm shivers for what he put White Sox fans through this season.